Old faces in ‘new’ 26-member Gujarat cabinet as BJP strikes caste balance ahead of 2027 polls

Ending speculation about a possible “no-repeat” policy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat has retained several familiar names in its new 26-member cabinet, avoiding a major overhaul. Despite public expectations of a younger and more dynamic team, the ruling party has once again chosen experience and loyalty over fresh faces.

The latest expansion of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s government appears to have been shaped more by caste and regional considerations than by performance or merit. Party insiders acknowledge that the selections were made to ensure no major community feels excluded—a reflection of the BJP’s strategy to maintain social balance ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Caste equations dominate cabinet formation

Observers note that the cabinet’s composition closely mirrors the BJP’s longstanding emphasis on caste representation. The government includes eight OBC ministers, seven from the Patidar community, four from Scheduled Tribes, three from Scheduled Castes, two Kshatriyas, and two from other categories.

Ministers by Caste

Similarly, regional balance has been a clear priority. Of the 26 ministers, eight are from Saurashtra, seven from central Gujarat, six from the south, four from the north, and one from Kutch.

Ministers by zone

Viral video leaders rewarded, not reprimanded

Before the cabinet was announced, a video featuring senior leaders Rishikesh Patel and Jagdish Panchal had gone viral, in which they were heard saying, “We are the ones who make members, what will they do — remove us?” The video fuelled speculation that the party might act against them. Instead, both leaders have been rewarded with key positions in the new government, reinforcing perceptions that loyalty continues to outweigh controversy.

Within Kamalam, the BJP’s state headquarters, some leaders were heard questioning the internal slogan “Daagi chalega, baghi nahi chalega” (those with tainted records are acceptable, but rebels are not). The reshuffle seems to validate that view, as the party favoured steadfast loyalists while sidelining a few self-promoting figures.

Saurashtra gains prominence after Visavadar setback

One of the most visible shifts in the new cabinet is the rise in representation from Saurashtra. The region, which had only five ministers earlier, now accounts for eight. Political observers see this as a corrective step after the BJP’s defeat in the Visavadar by-election.

The loss in Visavadar, attributed in part to growing support for opposition leaders such as Gopal Italia, has been interpreted within the party as a wake-up call. By strengthening Saurashtra’s voice in the government, the BJP hopes to reassure the region’s voters that their concerns are being heard in Gandhinagar.

Gopal Italia’s rise sidelines Jayesh Radadiya

The Visavadar contest also affected the political fortunes of Jayesh Radadiya, who was tasked with managing the situation there. His inability to contain the surge in Gopal Italia’s popularity is believed to have cost him a cabinet berth.

Youth vs experience debate unresolved

Discussions within the BJP reportedly centred on promoting younger leaders, with the names of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor, and Gopal Italia frequently mentioned. While some argued that this would help the party appeal to younger voters, senior leaders from the Thakor community are said to have prevailed in internal deliberations. As a result, Alpesh Thakor did not make it to the final list.

Veteran Koli leaders consolidate influence

Among the influential Koli community, Kunvarji Bavaliya and Parshottam Solanki continue to hold sway. Bavaliya, who also heads the All India Koli Samaj, has been rewarded with a key portfolio in recognition of his organisational influence.

Parshottam Solanki, meanwhile, has achieved a rare feat by being appointed minister for the fourth consecutive time. With his influence extending across Gujarat and even parts of Maharashtra, Solanki remains a central figure in the BJP’s caste-based electoral strategy.

A cabinet built for balance, not renewal

The composition of CM Patel’s new council of ministers underscores the BJP’s cautious approach as it looks ahead to 2027. While the expansion offers representation to nearly every major caste and region, it also reflects the party’s preference for loyalty, experience, and social arithmetic over generational change.

Political analysts suggest the cabinet is less a break from the past and more a recalibration designed to preserve the BJP’s vast but delicate social coalition—a formula the party seems unwilling to abandon before the next election.